Desk with a shiftable top section



Nov. 17,- 1953 l. R. CORNISH 2,659,64

DESK WITH A SHIFTABLE TOP SECTION Filed Dec. 31, 1948 Patented Nov. 17, 1953 "UNITED S ATENT OFFICE "DESK WITH A SHIFTABLE 'IZOPQSEGTION Irving R.-ICoinish, El'nihurst, "Ill.

" "Application December 31, 1948, serial No rosnw 2 Claims.

machines may be provided at either forward corner of said desk merely by the shifting of said top section; to provide a desk with an improved shortened front top section shiftable from side to side to expose a machine platform at either forward corner of the desk; to provide improved means for locking the shiftable top section in either of its shifted positions; and to provide an improved means for mounting a machine on either of the platforms to permit angular shifting of the machine about a vertical axis to better accommodate the machine to the convenience of the operator.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred form of desk embodying this invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a similar view, but showing the shiftable top section in position to expose the opposite corner for supporting a key-operated machine, an adjustable machine mount being shown in position on the machine platform; and

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of this improved form of desk with the adjustable top section in the position shown in Fig. 3 and with the supporting pedestals reversed from what is shown in Fig. 1. The view is partly broken away to more clearly indicate the arrangement of means whereby the shiftable top section is locked in either of its shifted positions.

A preferred form of desk embodying this invention, as shown in the drawings, comprises a sub-top or platform element 5 arranged on a pair of pedestals 6 and 1 and mounting a main top which is divided into two sections 8 and 8. The front top section 8' is slidable from side to side to expose a portion of the platform or subtop 5 at one end of the other, in order to provide a well with a support in for a key-operated machine such as a calculating machine or a typewriter.

The sub-top or platform 5, as herein shown, extends the full depth of the top sections 8 and 8, although the desk could be constructedwith a platform 5 extending only under the shiftable main top section 8. In the latter case the rear main top section could rest directly upon the pedestals 6 and 1, instead of on the sub-top or platform 5.

As herein shown, the pedestal 6 is merely a panel with legs, whereas the pedestal I is equipped with a number of drawers resting on a skid II. A back panel l2 extends between the pedestals 6 and 1.

By means conventionally used for such purpose, the pedestals 6 and 'l and the back panel H are detachably connected'to the platform or sub-top 5 thereby permitting the pedestals 6 and l to be arranged at either side of the desk, as respectively shown in Figs. 1 and 4. This makes the desk most convenient for the operator regardless of which of the supports ID the key-operated machine is set upon.

The top sections 8 and 8' are of such a thickness that, resting upon the platform 5, the upper surfaces of the top sections are at a height normal for non-machine uses.

Ihe rear top section 8 generally would be suitably fixed along the rear part of the platform 5. As herein shown the arrangement could be such as would provide a pocket 9 rearwardly of each support I0. This makes a convenient place for storing a machine cover when the machine is in use.

The front main top section a is constructed so as to provide a pair of shallow drawers l3 with a partition l4 between them. Along its rear edge the section 8' would be provided with suitable shoulders or a ledge engaging the opposed edge of the rear top section 8 to keep the shiftable top section 8 level with the rear top section 8.

To retain the front top section 8' along the front of the platform 5 and permit said top section to be locked in either of its positions, the bolt i5 is set in the partition l4 and extends down through a slot 16 in the forward edge of the sub-base or platform 5 and on its lower end mounts a wing nut I1.

Where desired, an auxiliary machine-mount It! may be arranged on either of the machine supports 10. Bolts 19 with the usual winged nuts extending through rarcuate slots in the mount [8 and holes in the platform 5 will permit the mount It to be locked in such angular position as will most conveniently position the key-operated machine to the operator.

Variations and modifications in the details of structure and arrangement of the parts may be resorted to within the spirit and coverage of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A desk of the class described comprising, a platform supported at aheight normal for use of key-operated machines, and a top formed of rear and front sections at a height normal for non-machine use, said rear top section being permanently fixed rearwardly of said platform, said front top section being shorter than said rear top section and being shiftable lengthwise of said desk to expose either end of said platform at the forward corners of said desk to provide alternative supports for a hand-operated machine, and a machine mount adapted to be adjustably attached to the exposed portion of said platform.

2. A desk of the class described comprising, a

platform detachably supported on pedestals at a a height normal for the use of key-operated machines, a rear main top section arranged on said pedestals rearwardly of said platform at a height normal for non-machine use, a front main top section shorter than said rear top section but equal in height thereto mounted on said plat- '4 form so as to be shiftable from side to side of said desk to expose either end of said platform at the forward corners of said desk for the support of a hand-operated machine, and means for locking said shiftable top section in either of its shifted positions.

IRVING R. CORNISI-I.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Rainwater Dec. 5, 1939 

